A Hungry Traveler’s Tale

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport exceeded expectations. Customs was a breeze – efficient and clean, just as I expected. However, my 7:30 PM arrival quickly turned into a hunger-fueled adventure. Duty-free offered no solace; the promised food was nowhere to be seen.

Instead of a leisurely search for dinner at the airport, we decided to prioritise hotel check in. A wise decision considering the hour long journey to the hotel.

A surprise awaited: mandatory X-ray scan for all bags before reaching the platform. While slightly inconvenient, it added a layer of security I appreciated.

The hour-long subway journey tested my patience. Hunger gnawed, and I managed to keep my cool. Finally, at 9:30 PM, relief arrived in the form of a Chinese burger restaurant near my hotel.

This wasn’t your average burger. Instead of bread, a soft, warm Chinese pancake (饼 – bing) cradled a juicy beef patty seasoned with uniquely Chinese spices. The toasted black sesame seeds on the pancake added a delightful crunch and nutty aroma. It was a delicious fusion of East and West, a perfect end to a long and frustrating journey.

My initial exploration plans went out the window, but the unexpected culinary adventure was a satisfying consolation prize.

The highlight, however, was the high-tech marvel I encountered on the way to my room: a delivery robot! The hotel partners with a delivery service, using robots to bring food directly to your door. A notification alerts you to its arrival. I’m eager to test this futuristic service tomorrow.

The hotel room itself was equally impressive. The TV remote doubled as a smart home controller, responding to voice commands in Mandarin. I had fun practicing my Mandarin, experimenting with different sentence structures to control the lights and curtains.

But somehow it refuses to let me watch TV! I am too tired to bother and will settle for prayers before bed.

China’s technological advancements are truly remarkable! This trip is shaping up to be more exciting than I ever imagined.

May all be well and happy.